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Giant Bomb's Game of the Year 2010: Day Five

Prepare to usher in the new year with celebrity guest Nolan North and a whole slew of awards!

Don't agree with our choices? Then be sure and listen to our Day Five Deliberations Podcast to make yourself even angrier!

 

The Northies - Best Performance By Nolan North

 


Mafia II



It's happened, people. The day has finally come. It's not enough forNolan North to play the leading man in one beloved franchise after another. He wasn't happy when you were merely hearing his voice in every single game you ever bought, ever. One role per game? Forget about it. 

 

Let history remember this as the year when the Nolan-headed serpent began to devour its own tail, when video game voiceovers folded in on themselves and reality itself began to unravel. We present to you: Nolan North conversing with... Nolan North. 


  

 

And the Northie goes to... Mafia II. What else could it be? Our dear Nolan certainly made the rounds in a long list of noteworthy titles this year, but as we so often say around here, it's not the best Nolan but the most Nolan that truly matters.


Runners-up: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Army of Two: The 40th Day, Tron: Evolution, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Singularity, Alpha Protocol, Final Fantasy XIII, Dark Void, Transformers: War for Cybertron, Trauma Team 



Best Competitive Multiplayer

 


StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty 

 


At first glance, StarCraft II looks an awful lot like StarCraft I, with the same three factions mining the same minerals and vespene gas toward the same end of wiping each other off the map. But it's exactly that time-tested core RTS gameplay that makes this the best multiplayer game of the year. After more than a decade of intensely high-level competitive play, the most essential elements that make StarCraft what it is are practically etched in stone, so instead of trying to fix something that wasn't broken, Blizzard set about subtly refining, streamlining, and automating some of the more mechanical and menial aspects of playing StarCraft, making it accessible to players of any skill level.


And what a range of skill levels this game supports. StarCraft II has already spawned the most lucrative and widely publicized professional gaming tournament in history, with top players mastering ludicrously complex strategies in a game so mechanically dense it seems to defy mastery in the first place. For the mere mortals among us, the newly redesigned Battle.net does a great job of keeping you playing against opponents of like skill levels, so if you just want to turtle in your base and make hydras for 10 minutes before any attacking goes down, you can find others who play the same way. And despite adding a host of interesting new units, Blizzard maintained that finely honed three-way balance between terran, zerg, and protoss--no small feat in itself--ensuring that a whole lot of people will be playing StarCraft II online for a long, long time.

 

 

Runners-up: Call of Duty: Black Ops, Halo: Reach 



Best Ending



Red Dead Redemption



It is arguably more challenging to convey a cohesive narrative in games than most other mediums--games are defined by user interaction, and the protagonist's free will (or at least its illusion) can throw a real monkey-wrench in the storyteller's designs. As difficult as effectively telling a simple story, wrapping up the loose ends and finding a satisfying conclusion is a feat that storytellers in all formats struggle with, and this is a huge part of what makes Red Dead Redemption such an accomplishment. Rockstar San Diego crafted a rich, detailed world, filled it with compelling, compromised characters, and found a satisfying arc for its lead character.

 

But that ending. That thrilling gut-punch of an ending. Righteous redemption and bitter, white-hot revenge all swirling together for an ending that felt earned. Games simply aren't made the way Red Dead Redemption was, and its conclusion wouldn't have worked had it not been for the specific way that the game repeatedly shifts gears leading up to the real ending. Coincidentally, Red Dead Redemption would also have won here had this been the award for Most Endings, with the way it ends, and then it ends again, and then it ends. It's maybe one of the best game endings, ever, which makes it an easy win for Best Ending in 2010.



Runners-up:Bayonetta, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty




The "Take a Break" Award 

 


Final Fantasy 

 

We're hard-pressed to even define what the name "Final Fantasy" encompasses at this point, but for the purpose of this category let's constrain it to the games that are merely called "Final Fantasy" with a Roman numeral afterward. This year saw the release of the thirteenth and fourteenth installments in that core series; the former was a beautifully produced, underwhelming adherent to outdated JRPG conventions, while the latter was by all accounts a runaway MMO catastrophe so poorly received that Square Enix relieved its stewards of their jobs in the hope of remaking it into something people would actually want to pay a monthly fee to play. It wasn't a great year for games called Final Fantasy, so it's time to take a pause and think hard about what it was that made this series so popular in the first place.



Look, all of us here at Giant Bomb have fond memories of various entries in the Final Fantasy series, but most of those entries came out well over a decade ago. A lot has happened, and continues to happen, in the ongoing evolution of game design since then, but it's starting to seem like Final Fantasy is too burdened by its own lavish production values and momentous legacy to keep up with those modern conventions. What's the answer here? We can't definitively say. Maybe it's time to ditch the expensive full-motion video. Maybe it's time to let a Western studio take a crack at this hallowed franchise. Maybe... no, it's definitely time to drop the Roman numerals and come up with a more creative way to name all these games. Whatever it takes, we just want Final Fantasy to surprise and excite us again, but only after it takes some time off to regroup and come back strong. 

 

Runners-up: Guitar Hero, WWE SmackDown!

 


Best PlayStation 3-Only Game



God of War III

 


Kratos pulls no punches in this, his PlayStation 3 debut, which also wraps up the mad Spartan's trilogy of heavenly murder with all the inventive blood lust and blinding rage players have come to expect from the franchise. God of War III is a God of War game through and through, and while it's a franchise whose feel is oft imitated, this was a vivid reminder that no one knows how to sadistically murder a god like Kratos.

 

Visually stunning, with a sense of scale that few games have the nerve to play with and the kind of finesse that reminds you of what's running under the hood, God of War III makes good on much of the promise of its franchise and its platform, making it our choice for Best PlayStation 3-Only Game for 2010.




Runners-up:  Heavy Rain,  

Sports Champions

 

 

181 Comments

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mutha3

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Edited By mutha3
@atomic_dumpling: Otaku are notorious for latching onto one game in a franchise and calling every other entry the worst game in the universe. Don't know what bizzaro universe you have been living in, dude!
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Addfwyn

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Edited By Addfwyn
@Lautaro: Happens all the time, you get used to it.  There are certain genres or categories of things that if you like, you get labelled a japan-obsessed geek or fanboy or somesuch.  If you like any apple products, you're an apple fanboy.  If you like an japanese RPG (especially if you prefer them to WRPGs) then you are a crazed japan-obsessed otaku, etc. 
 
You get used to it.  I myself actually really enjoyed FFXIII (moreso than most other non-portable RPGs this year), but it's not gonna be everyone's cup of tea.
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AuthenticM

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Edited By AuthenticM

I agree that Final Fantasy needs a deep reworking, but I do not want SE to stop using roman numerals in their titles.

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GrandHarrier

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Edited By GrandHarrier
Holy Shit. The absolutely vitriolic hate that Brad is flinging Mass Effect 2's way is surprising. It almost feels like any category that it happens to get even the slightest nod towards, he has to attack it, tooth and nail. The entire story of ME2 is bad because you happen to dislike one perfectly reasonable(when you look at the backstory and lore of,) explanation of how Reapers "reproduce"?
 
But we're going to hold up Starcraft 2 as a top contender? Because the very obvious twist ending was pretty meh. I mean I saw it coming but then it was pretty much the only way you could go. 
 
I don't know about you, Brad. But smashing through the Collector's defenses with my squad. Seeing the horror that was being inflicted upon the trapped humans. Holding that fucking line and making them pay for every inch with withering cover fire. Dropping a can of whoop ass on the Reaper Fetus then holding up a giant finger to the Illusive Man as I blew that abomination to hell was immensely satisfying.
 
P.S. How can you complain about a game "punishing" you for delaying a rescue attempt. When the crew of the Normandy was captured by the Collectors, did you really think to yourself, "Oh, I'll just do romp around the Galaxy. I'm sure nothing sinister is going to happen to them." It was meant to be a slap in your face and give you a sense of urgency. Those bastards took your crew. YOUR CREW. And they needed to pay for that.
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Jambones

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Edited By Jambones

Haha. You don't know how happy it makes me to see the staff  'shops in the video transitions. :D I am also glad some of mine made the cut, too.

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RelentlessKnight

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Edited By RelentlessKnight

Also disappointed that Jeff didn't add Super Street Fighter IV in his list, didn't he said in the first quarter of the year that SSFIV is his game of this year(2010)? You know when he said it on Gametrailers?

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TheKbob

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Edited By TheKbob
@Sogeman: Agreed.  So much stronger than every other shooter this year. 
 
I still feel, however, that Starcraft 2 was deserving of the award. 
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DaBigDawg

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Edited By DaBigDawg

Why wasn't Mass Effect 2 mentioned for best ending?

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NondoX

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Edited By NondoX

cracking choices for the winners!!

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Pop

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Edited By Pop

oh wow if god of war 3 isn't a console seller idk what is.

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Hailinel

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Edited By Hailinel
@DaBigDawg said:
" Why wasn't Mass Effect 2 mentioned for best ending? "
Which ending? :P
 
Also, it's the middle part of a trilogy.  Technically, the story isn't over.
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Pickingwings

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Edited By Pickingwings

Freaking genius,  Nolan North talking to Nolan North.  Great choices.

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Bouke

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Edited By Bouke

What? Not even a mention for Battlefield Bad Company 2 in the best online multiplayer game category!? I figured it would make the top three, but the other games are pretty strong; no mention is just wrong because a ton of people have been playing Bad Company 2 online since march; Black Ops released what, two months ago?

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Geno

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Edited By Geno

The Northies - only award on GB which can be dependably justified. 

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gla55jAw

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Edited By gla55jAw

Just listened to the podcast for this day. To say that Final Fantasy should take a break sounds a little crazy. If we're talking the numbered, non-online games,  the gap from XII to XIII was 4 years which is already way too long. I understand a lot of people didn't like it, but man, it still reviewed pretty high and sold close to 6 million copies. Woo, had to vent my inner fan-boy there.

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Garfy

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Edited By Garfy

The Northie should have gone to Alpha Protocol, Steven F**kin' Heck!
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djghostmare

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Edited By djghostmare

I loved Final Fantasy XIII, and I sincerely believe that the numbered series remains to be excellent (online not included; I don't play them so I can't judge them). They always try new and interesting concepts and mechanics that are clearly divisive. It's really ballsy to put that much time and money into an unproven gameplay concept. I was one of those people who loved the new battle system for one. 
 
Although I do believe the numbered series should continue the way it's going, I wish they would remove the "Final Fantasy" label from the offshoots. Something like the Crystal Chronicles series should simply be called just that, instead of Final Fantasy: Chrystal Chronicles. It's become a marketing move that is kind of annoying. Final Fantasy Versus and Agito XII don't need to have those actual names unless they are clearly in the same universe (some sources say same universe, others say same concepts and themes but not universe, so I'm confused on that) and even then it's hard to argue for it.  
 
Keep the numbered FF series as just that. It's the only series that needs to be named as such. Only direct sequels should be the exception, in which case Final Fantasy IV: the After Years is a decent title, Final Fantasy X-2 is not. It's a stupid, and confusing name. The game's not bad and is novel and full of light-hearted fun. That title is just plain dumb. If it were X² as in called X squared by Square, then that would be extra dumb.

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CL60

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Edited By CL60

Jeez, since this got posted the views on my video went up a shit load.

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AneiDoru

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Edited By AneiDoru

I agree with Starcraft 2 being a good game, and RDR got awesome when it added Zombies too!

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skrutop

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Final Fantasy XII did a good job of mixing it up, but that turned out to be too divisive to the fans.  I've been playing FF3 for the DS and it's outdated conventions are driving me nuts.  They can dump this franchise in the ocean for all I care anymore.

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yukoasho

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Edited By yukoasho
@skrutop:  I don't know, FFXIII felt like an exercise in finding as many things to strip out of a game as possible while still being interactive enough to justify being called a "game."  That it took more time than anyone should ever be asked to invest in to get to the good parts is another knock against it.  The game just got in its own way too much.
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Hailinel

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@skrutop said:
" Final Fantasy XII did a good job of mixing it up, but that turned out to be too divisive to the fans.  I've been playing FF3 for the DS and it's outdated conventions are driving me nuts.  They can dump this franchise in the ocean for all I care anymore. "
You're complaining about outdated conventions in a remake of a game from two decades ago?
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skrutop

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Edited By skrutop
@Hailinel said:
" @skrutop said:
" Final Fantasy XII did a good job of mixing it up, but that turned out to be too divisive to the fans.  I've been playing FF3 for the DS and it's outdated conventions are driving me nuts.  They can dump this franchise in the ocean for all I care anymore. "
You're complaining about outdated conventions in a remake of a game from two decades ago? "
Well, yes, actually I am.  I'm not saying that they should have changed them for the remake, but that doesn't make them any less frustrating to deal with.
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RobertOrri

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Edited By RobertOrri
@mannymar: I'm currently playing Resonance of Fate, saw that cutscene with Vashyron yesteday. What a bizarre performance.
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DeadDorf

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Edited By DeadDorf

BF:BC2 should have been on that list.

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BitterAlmond

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Edited By BitterAlmond

It's good to see game critics coming to their senses about FInal Fantasy games, even if they are about ten years late doing it.

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samfo

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Edited By samfo

its good to see old threads getting posted in, even if the poster is 6 months late in doing it

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ShadowofIntent

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Edited By ShadowofIntent
@BitterAlmond said:
  even if they are about ten years late doing it. 

Oh, the irony......
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buzz_killington

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Edited By buzz_killington

Now having played both Red Dead and Bayonetta, I absolutely disagree with their inclusion in the Best Ending category. Deadly Preminition should've gotten the nod at least over Red Dead.
.

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hockeymask27

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Edited By hockeymask27
@ShadowofIntent said:
@BitterAlmond said:
  even if they are about ten years late doing it. 

Oh, the irony......
???? 
 @buzz_killington said:
Now having played both Red Dead and Bayonetta, I absolutely disagree with their inclusion in the Best Ending category. Deadly Preminition should've gotten the nod at least over Red Dead..

I liked red dead's ending.
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Keeng

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Edited By Keeng

I literally just finished Red Dead. That has to be one of the worst endings I've seen in quite some time. I came here to read why it was given the Best Ending award and almost laughed out loud when they said it was an ending that made you feel as though you'd "earned" it. Really? If anything that was an ending the player (and characters) didn't deserve. It was a tremendously stereotypical wrap-up to a fantastic game preceded by a truly unique story segment and followed by some lazy writing. Perhaps my rage about this ending is somehow fueled by my hatred for the LA Noire ending since I finished that game less than one month ago. Either way, John Marston's tale deserved a much better finale. 
 
Best ending of 2010...I'm going to go with Starcraft 2 or Heavy Rain.